Taiwan and Thailand have a long history of collaboration in higher education encompassing almost all disciplines. More than 600 MOUs have been signed and many exchange activities have been undertaken between universities in these two countries, and Dr. Somkit Lertpaithoon, Rector of Thammasat University, one of the best known and most respected universities in Thailand, accepted an invitation from the Ministry of Education in Taiwan to lead a delegation to visit universities in Taiwan to further strengthen the academic ties.

The delegation visited Taiwan from November 23 to November 26, 2016, and visited National Taiwan University, National Sun Yat-sen University, and National Chengchi University.

On November 25, Dr. Somkit and his colleagues were received at National Sun Yat-sen University by Dr. Cheng Ying-Yao, president of the university. The two universities share common interests in marine science and Southeast Asian studies and Dr. Somkit and Dr. Cheng both expressed strong interest in organizing some faculty and student exchange programs.

At National Chengchi University the Thammasat University visitors focused on discussing practical aspects of dual-degree programs. For example, under such programs a Thai student enrolled at Thammasat University who has been studying for two and a half years could study in National Chengchi University in Taiwan for one and a half years and then get a degree from each of the universities.

The delegation included Dr. Pronchai Tarkulwaranont, the vice rector of Thammasat University, who is also the Vice Minister of Industry. He expressed his interest in the academic and industrial cooperation in Taiwan and in using aspects as a model for Thailand to use to improve the partnerships and collaboration between universities and industries, and the Ministry of Education has high hopes of strengthening the academic ties between Thammasat University and universities in Taiwan.